Esperanza falls to No. 6 San Clemente

The girls soccer team from San Clemente celebrates after scoring against Esperanza in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High School Thursday night. San Clemente defeated Esperanza 1-0.LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The final preseason tune-up tournament for the San Clemente Tritons got off to a victorious beginning Thursday.

Junior Sara Sprenger scored the lone goal of the match in the first half as the Tritons defeated No. 6 Esperanza 1-0 in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High.

"Everyone came together in this game and stepped up," Sprenger said. "This was a really good game for the team."

San Clemente (6-3-1) defeated Yorba Linda 2-0 earlier Thursday in a first round match-up behind two goals from junior Nikki Faris. They will now face Los Osos in the quarterfinals Friday at 11 a.m. at Yorba Linda High.

"This is a big deal for us because Esperanza is a quality team that always brings it," Tritons coach Stacey Finnerty said. "Our learning curve has been slower because we are a new team and there is still a long way for us to go."

San Clemente was on the attack early and produced the game's lone goal in the sixth minute. Sprenger sent a pass down the side for fellow junior Ally Lynn. Lynn returned the ball to Sprenger near the top of the box and her subsequent shot floated over Aztecs goalie Katelyn Sullivan and tucked inside the upper corner of the far post.

"I called for the ball, and when it was passed back to me, I was able to volley it into the side of the net," Sprenger said. "It was so exciting because we worked hard for that goal.

The Aztecs (5-3-3) had two free kicks by junior Catherine Newberry hit the crossbar.

The girls soccer team from San Clemente celebrates after scoring against Esperanza in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High School Thursday night. San Clemente defeated Esperanza 1-0. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Brittany Dyer, left, of Esperanza battles for the ball against Kelly Jameson of San Clemente in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High School. San Clemente won the match 1-0. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jill Parker, left, of Esperanza goes head-to-head with Emma Burns of San Clemente in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High School. San Clemente won the match 1-0. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jill Parker, bottom, of Esperanza takes a spill while battling for the ball against Katie Milberger of San Clemente in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High School. San Clemente won the match 1-0. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Amanda Gerrain, left, of San Clemente blocks out Lauren Guerra of Esperanza as they battle for the ball in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High School. San Clemente won the match 1-0. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Lauren Guerra of Esperanza, right, gets to the ball ahead of Emma Burns, left, of San Clemente in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High School. San Clemente won the match 1-0. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Natalie Higgins, left, of San Clemente battles for the ball against Katelyn Trevor of Esperanza in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High School. San Clemente won the match 1-0. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Allison Snyder, left, of San Clemente battles for the ball against Nosa Ogiamien of Esperanza in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High School. San Clemente won the match 1-0. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Brittany Dyer, left, of Esperanza gets to the ball ahead of Emma Burns of San Clemente in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High School. San Clemente won the match 1-0. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jill Parker, left, of Esperanza races for the ball against Smara Bahu of San Clemente in the second round of the Excalibur Tournament at Esperanza High School. San Clemente won the match 1-0. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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